Fly-in Update:

Based on the WX forecast Friday AM, there was a general consensus that it would not be a good day to have a fly-in on Sat May 21st.

Although some HG and Advanced PG pilots will be heading out to Palomar to check out the conditions and maybe hang out. 

Most felt that it would be better to push that date out to the next available date of June 11th so that there would be a greater possibility of good air and more pleasant conditions in the LZ for a wider audience of pilots.

Follow the Fly-in Updates and Information on the SDHGPA Spring Fly-in Page:

Forecasts & Models As Friday AM Update:

NOAA Forecast: (based on GSF / Global)
Saturday:
A 20 percent chance of rain before 11am. Patchy fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 62. Light southwest wind becoming west 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.
Saturday Night:
A 20 percent chance of rain after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 50. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light northwest in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Models via XCskies :
Global: 11am surface @10, 2K @10, 4K @5, 6K @10, 8K @20
Global: 2pm surface @10, 2K @15, 4K @10, 6K @10, 8K @15
NAM: 11am surface @15, 2K @10, 4K @15, 6K @15, 8K @15  with Surface gust 15-20
NAM: 2pm surface @20, 2K @15, 4K @20, 6K @20, 8K @15  with Surface gust 15-20
​
I would lean toward believing the XCskies NAM Model . . .

Weekend Mountain Flying Report

Palomar is an amazing site. On Saturday, the day of the fly-in and BBQ, the forecast was poor. But Palomar ignored the forecast. Wind indeed was light, around 5 mph, and coming from all directions, occasionally puffing down. The launch thermal was sometimes right at launch, sometimes a hundred yards out. Where it was determined which way the breeze was blowing.

Several PG pilots took off around 12:30 and climbed a few hundred feet. All together I think 40 PG pilots took off, as late as 4:00. It looked like all but the later launchers got above launch and had good flights in the super smooth air. A few of them were able to get 2,000' higher than take off altitude.

Five HG pilots from Sylmar and Greg F flew hang gliders. The first HG pilot took off and went straight out for a hundred yards or more, circled in light lift, and climbed a few hundred feet higher than launch. The second pilot allowed his nose to rise a bit, he could not get sufficient air speed, and mushed into the brush. He was ok, but chose to pack up and not fly. The other three Sylamr pilots and Greg had good strong take-offs. Two of the Sylmar pilots made it at least 1,000' above take off level. All of them had plenty of air time.

​A forecast is just that, a forecast. It is not necessarily reality.

Bill H.

Member Photos Posted on FB

My wife and I had a great time at the fly-in and BBQ!
​
Here's a short video of yesterday's flying and landings. 

HG Division:
1st Place & Grand Champion:     Bill Helliwell
2nd Place:                                       Jeff Brown
3rd Place:                                        Mike Branger​

PG Division:
1st Place & Grand Champion:     Russ Detwiler
2nd Place:                                       Dmitri Soloviev
3rd Place:                                        Jason Kinch

2015 Final XC Score Sheet Page: 

One shirt is awarded to each pilot for his/her longest straight line XC distance passing the following Mile Marks:
A pilot's first flight over 10 miles (1st year achieving).
Flight over 25 miles.
Flight over 50 miles.
Flight over 75 miles
Flight over 100 miles, miles listed

Please consider increasing your donation, or If you have not already done so, Please Donate to The Free Flight Forever Fund. ​

If you have questions and want more information on the Insurance Issues See:

Yes - Martin had just come from a Meeting with the CSS. They were feeling their oats pledging 7K as a club and challenged us as SDHGPA to raise 5K as a club. The SDHGPA Board has since met and and we think we can do better that that by raising at least $20K in total as a Club in whole with SDHGPA kicking in $10K from our reserves. 

For more information see:

When Making your Donation, add SDHGPA as your Chapter Affiliation!

For the Best flying in SoCal on Sat and a great BBQ, Come out to Palomar!

Although the WX does not look perfect, Palomar looks like the only flyable site in So Cal this Sat Jan 16th. The long term forecasts for the following alt weekend does not look good.  Believe it or not, this is exactly the weather forecast and conditions that we had Last Year and the flying turned out to be off the chart good for the time of year. So we are a go for this weekend!

Also; Martin Palmaz (USHPA Executive Director) has just flown in to join us for our Fly-In on the 16th. He would like to talk with us, answer any questions, and get our feedback regarding USHPA & Insurance issues.

WX for the day: (1-16-16)

Not great depending on what models you are looking at, but probably the best and only  flying in the San Diego Mts.

The Global model is fairly optimistic to 5.4K, but NAM & RAP show only to 4. But that is still 500 over the main launch. Surface winds look good, however upper level winds starting at 6K are strong out of the North. There will likely be a mixing layer of interesting air.  
​
​Expect it to be flyable and the BBQ will be a great time. 

Site: Palomar
Date: Jan 16th 2016
Where: Palomar Main LZ - Robert’s Ranch (Pala) 
​15450 California 76,  Pauma Valley CA 92061

Please review and read Full Palomar Site Gide: 

Key Points for the Fly-in

• All Vehicles must display Current 2016 SDHGPA Vehicle ID/ Gate Pass
• Carpool to launch to minimized Cars on launch
• Main Launch is preferred for this event
• Keep all access gates locked and closed behind
• Active Launch Windows: Use mountain etiquette - Only enter the Launch Windows with your gear if and when you are ready and intending to launch. Be mindful that there will be a lot of pilots on launch. Do not wait for the perfect Cycle, but rather take the 1st good safe cycle. ​
• If in Launch Windows or Top landing Approach areas, be cautious and aware of flight activities in all directions.

BBQ Starts ~ @ 4pm
Main Course will be provided by the club however it is primarily a potluck; so plan to bring an appetizer,  side dish, salad, or dessert to share.  Please also bring any drinks you might want. BYOB

Bill Davis, Angela A., & Doug Poirier the Social committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate food pickup, set up and break down. Also, if you have a charcoal grill that you would be willing to bring, that would be great. Ideally, we can get these things coordinated by mid day on the Friday before the event so that everything runs as smooth as possible on Saturday. 

Please Comment below and or contact  Angela or Doug to help and coordinate on the event planning side.

Please consider increasing your donation, or If you have not already done so, Please Donate to The Free Flight Forever Fund.

Carpool to both launches from the Main LZ to minimize cars on launch. Max 4 vehicles may be at Upper Smiley Launch. Main Launch is preferred for both HG & PG pilots. 
​
When parking at main launch, park in designated parking area and fill the most NW slots available. Try to keep top landing approach path free of cars.

​Active Launch Windows: Use mountain etiquette and do not setup in the Active Launch Windows. Only enter the Launch Windows with your gear if and when you are ready and intending to launch. If in Launch Windows or Top landing Approach areas, be cautious and aware of flight activities in all directions.

Prime Launching times for Palomar recently have been from 1:30-4:30 with flights extending till dusk.  Note that peak heating is at 2 pm. Those launching at 4:30 pm last week reported having great flights with abundant fat lift. Those flying early in the day around noon and at peak heating reported strong and turbulent conditions with small built thermals. (Please choose suitable launching times and conditions to your skill level) (Some P2 & H2s have been heading out and getting in early training flights and landing before 10 or 11 am when conditions ramp up. Then having great late afternoon into evening flights later in the day when it is easier to stay up in the fatter lift)

Bill's Weekend Mountain Flying Forecast:

​High pressure is moving across California and into Nevada. This will make for NorthEasterly wind in the mountains, but not at Palomar. It seems that if we want a decent flying day at Palomar all we have to do is schedule a fly-in and bbq.  It looks like the wind will be West in the afternoon. It will be light, 5-7 mph. Lift could be spotty, but as strong as 600 fpm, and going to 6,000'.

Steve's Palomar Forecast: (day of update)

Palomar will provide blocking to the NE flow and will be in a local convergence zone. Per RAP, NAM & Global Models, expect surface winds to be light W and more of a pure thermal day. The day is fairly inverted but I am a bit more optimistic then Bill on max altitudes for those that can thermal well. Even with the inversion, I would expect top of lift to 6-7K with some maybe getting to 8K aided by the local convergence. Starting at 5K (above the upper ridge lines) & up, should expect the NE flow to be mixing in. So the trick to getting over 6k will be to track the thermal drifts with the winds (likely back out over the valley) vs just pushing back against the terrain. 

Main Course will be provided by the club however it is primarily a potluck; so plan to bring an appetizer,  side dish, salad, or dessert to share.  Please also bring any drinks you might want. BYOB

The Social Committee volunteered to coordinate the BBQ but will need help from others with:  set up, manning the grills, and break down. Also, if you have tables or a grill that you would be willing to bring, that would be great. Ideally, we would like these things coordinated by mid day on Friday so that everything runs as smooth as possible on Saturday. 

Site: Palomar
Where: Palomar Main LZ
(Pala Roberts Ranch - 15450 California 76 Pauma Valley, CA 92061)  (map)

When: Tentatively Meeting in Main LZ around 11:30 for BBQ set-up and dropping off supplies. Then driving to launch around 12:30.  However, we do not feel like there is a rush to get into the air unless you are an XC hound trying to go someplace. Many will be coming out later in the day. See forecast to be updated below.

Carpool to both launches from the Main LZ to minimize cars on launch. Max 4 vehicles may be at Upper Smiley Launch. Main Launch is preferred for both HG & PG pilots. 

When parking at main launch, park in designated parking area and fill the most NW slots available. Try to keep top landing approach path free of cars.

Active Launch Windows: Use mountain etiquette and do not setup in the Active Launch Windows. Only enter the Launch Windows with your gear if and when you are ready and intending to launch. If in Launch Windows or Top landing Approach areas, be cautious and aware of flight activities in all directions.

Prime Launching times for Palomar recently have been from 1:30-6 with flights extending till dusk.  Note that peak heating is at 3pm. Those launching at 6pm weekend before last reported having great flights with abundant lift. Those flying early in the day and at peak heating reported strong and turbulent conditions with small built thermals. (Please choose suitable launching times and conditions to your skill level) (Some P2 & H2s have been heading out and getting in early training flights and landing before 10 or 11 am when conditions ramp up. Then having great late afternoon into evening flights)

Main Course will be provided by the club however it is primarily a potluck; so plan to bring an appetizer,  side dish, salad, or dessert to share.  Please also bring any drinks you might want. BYOB

Wild Bill volunteered to coordinate the BBQ but It is his Birthday and all & will need help from others with: set up and break down. Also, if you have tables or a grill that you would be willing to bring, that would be great. Ideally, we would like these things coordinated by mid day on Friday so that everything runs as smooth as possible on Saturday. 

Weekend Mountain Flying Report 10, 11 January

It is amazing to me how good the weather forecasting is. Here we are Sunday, the day after the fly-in, with rain all over the county just as predicted.

The fly in at Palomar on Saturday turned out great. There were around 50 paraglider pilots and 10 hang glider pilots. My prediction was we would be able to get to 3,500', Steve predicted close to 6,000'. Maybe if I had predicted higher I would have been able to get higher too!

Three hang glider pilots took off from the Smiley launch. The rest of us used the Main Launch. The improved WestSouthWest facing launch is perfect for HG use, wide and smooth with a slope of 2.5 : 1. It is plenty long enough. With a light breeze of 5 mph I was solidly flying on my RX less than half way down the cleared slope. There is also a grassy set up area near the take off but out of the way of those preparing to take off.

The sun was blocked by high clouds all morning and into the early afternoon. A few paragliders and a couple of hang gliders took off and struggled to have extended sled rides. A little before 2:00 the clouds thinned and moved and the sun instantly started warming things up. Paragliders in the air started climbing. Those of us who were set up, got in line and off we went. I took off at 2:15. There was lift but I was having trouble using it effectively. At one point I was 400' below launch. The lift was there and I finally started using it, climbing all the way around in my circles. Eventually I topped out at 3,800'. I could see others much higher, maybe they read Steve's forecast, not mine.

Notable HG flights were by Butch, Chris and Floyd. They all were able to get near 6,000'. John Heiney top landed, flying a king post glider. The fact that he was able to do that, safely, in a clear area, not interfering with gliders preparing to take off, says a lot about how much work has been done to clean up the set-up/take-off area.

Palomar is a fun place to fly. On a light day with lots of pilots, everyone had a good time.

Bill H.

PG Division:
1st Place & Grand Champion:     Dmitri Soloviev 
2nd Place:                                       Steve Rohrbaugh
3rd Place:                                        Peter Hill

HG Division:
1st Place & Grand Champion:     Butch Peachy

Milestone Shirt Awards:

One shirt is awarded to each pilot for his/her longest straight line XC distance passing the following Mile Marks:
A pilot's first flight over 10 miles (1st year achieving).
Flight over 25 miles.
Flight over 50 miles.
Flight over 75 miles
Flight over 100 miles, miles listed

2014 XC Score Sheet Page: 

For the XC Contest Rules and How to Join - See: 
http://www.sdhgpa.com/xc-contest.html

Our Next Scheduled SDHGPA Meeting will be Feb 18th unless otherwise posted or changed on the Official Calendar. 

Please always check the Official Gmail Calendar for the dates and times of our upcoming Meetings and Events. 

Note that there is no scheduled meeting in January other then the fly-in we just had.

Green light for WX on Fly-in Date:
Right now the weather for this weekend the 10th is looking good for a fly-in.  
 

We also have a green light from the Pala Tribal Council for the fly-in & BBQ.

Site: Palomar 
Date: Jan 10th 2015
Where: Palomar Main LZ
(Pala Roberts Ranch - 15450 California 76 Pauma Valley, CA 92061)  (map)

SDHGPA 2015 Membership is required to fly Palomar and for this event BBQ.
(Full Annual Membership or Visiting Pilot membership is valid for this event. However Visiting Pilots will not receive gate codes & must fly with Full Annual Members for access)

In the Main LZ, We must not park in front of block the Roll-up Doors and Shade Structure in the LZ in the main part of the day. Pilot Parking is to the south of the Office Doors and depicted in the Palomar Site Guide.

BBQ Starts ~ @ 4pm
Main Course will be provided by the club however it is primarily a potluck; so plan to bring an appetizer,  side dish, salad, or dessert to share.  Please also bring any drinks you might want. BYOB

Angela A., Wild Bill, & the Social committee would like some help from some volunteers to help coordinate food pickup, set up and break down. Also, if you have a charcoal grill that you would be willing to bring, that would be great. Ideally, we can get these things coordinated by mid day on the Friday before the event so that everything runs as smooth as possible on Saturday. 

Please Comment below and or contact  Angela ([email protected]) or Wild Bill to help and coordinate on the event planning side.

Balch Park Campground Coordinates: 36.220404,-118.679318

Maps of the campsite: note that the one we want is Balch Park Campground  off Bear Creek Rd and not Balch Park Station.